Alarm gauge



Sept. 13, 1927.

B. R. FAUNCE ALARM GAUGE Filed Oct. 2, 1923 through the liquid fuel'level and float-chamber showing the float as it is positioned when 7 Patented Sept. 13, 1927.

- UNITED STATES- BENJAMIN RICE Aun'c joE RIVERSIDE, NEW JERSEY.

ALARM GAUGE.

Application filed October 2, 1923. Serial No. 666,106.

This invention relates to improvements in alarm gauges. v v

The primary object of the invention isto provide an alarm which will give a. signal to a vehicle operator when the fuel of the supply tank is at a low level. i i

.. A further object of this invention isthe provision of an electrically operated alarm gauge which may be safely used in connection. with explosive liquids, such as gasoline. A very important object of the invention is the provision of an electrical circuitcontrolled alarm gauge of the above mentioned character embodying, a float controlled 'switch mechanism which may only be closed below the liquid fuel level.

v I A further object of this invention is the provision of a novel circuitoperatingifioat member.

A furtherobject of this invention is the provision of a novel type ofv float housing,

construction'for alarm gauges." 1

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent duringthe course .of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters designaterorresponding parts throughout. the 1 several .views fl F igure-lis across sectional view, taken the fuel tank has a suflicient supply of fuel therein, and s0 that the signal circuit is inoperative. l

' l Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the constructionillustrated in Figure 1, showing the position of the circuit controlling float when the fuel has fallen to 'a low level, so

igthat the signal circuit is closed. l

. Figure 3 is a transverse cross sectional view,,taken through the float chamber portion of this invention. 7

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view, taken "thru' the novel circuit controllingfloat,

showing the novel construction thereof.

Figure 5 1s a cross sectional view, showing particularly how the float ,chamber or H stable position.

, housin construction may be supported in a tion 80 eXtends laterally from the body 21 at the lower end I thereof, which provides a way 31, in communication with the chamber 32 of the housing 20. This projection may be screw threaded to receive a packing nut or coupling 33, by means of which a tube or pipe line 34, may be connected for feed of fuel into the housing 20, and exit therefrom; the pipe 34- being preferably connected withthe liquid supply. An attaching wing 37 is preferably formed integral with the body 21, bymeans ofwhich the housing 20 may be properly secured to any suitable support Apertures 40 are preferably. pro- :vided in the wing 37, to. receive bolts 41, .or the like, as isillustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings. Thewing 37 may have substantially V-shaped ridges 43 horizontally casing 50, for supporting a contact of a circuit, as will be subsequently set forth.

'The-casing is of less diameter than the internal diameter of the housing body 21,.

being spaced therefrom, as is indicated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

Aspiralspring-.55 is normally under compression between the cap nut 22 and the bottom of casing 50, and urges the latter upwardlyso that the flange 51 thereof is snugly disposed in its housing seat 52, preferably in a non-leak connection, althe not necessarily so. Relatively small ports or ducts 57 are radially provided in the casing 50, diametrically opposed, and so that 7 provided thereacross, which bite into the supthey are just above the way 31 of the housview of the economy with which it may be ing 20, when the casing 50 is in position. manufactured to attain the purposes above It is thus apparent that the chamber 60 of outlined. the casing 50 is open to the housing chamber I claim: 32 to receive fuel therefrom; both of said A device of the class described comchambers having communication with the prlsing a cas1ng,per mitt 1ng inlet and exit vent tube 27, so that the fuel level therein of a liquid with respect to the caslng, a may rise and fall with the fuel level of circuit controlling floatof spherical formathe supply tank not shown. tion Operable in the casing having a specific The device forms a switch for operating gravityso thatthe' float at its maxlmum an electric circuit wherein a signal may be diameter is always submerged in the liquid, placed. A conducting wire 69 of the cirand a contact in insulated relat on within cuit may lead downwardly through the vent said casing, said float upon dropping wlth tube 27, being suitably carried Within an inthe liquid to a predeterminedposition besulated casing. As is shown in Figures'l ing adapted to engage said contactf'and and 2 of the drawings, the wire 69 extends tipped against said casing at points below downwardly through the chamber 32 of the the liquid level to close acircuit.

housing 20, and passes thru an aperture in 2. A device of'the CltLSSdQSCIllQQd comprlsthecasing flange 51, along the bottom of ing a casing having a duct therein to permit casing 50, and upward thru, the plug 54, inlet and escape of liquid with respect therepreferably projecting centrally upward into, a contact extending upwardly within the to .the chamber 60 of casing 50, and procasing and terminating at a point below viding an exposed contact 70. This contact said duct, and a circuit controlling float '70 is disposed below the ports 57, so that freely suspended in the casing uponliquid it will always be submerged in the liquid therein shaped andweighted so that the fuel. The circuit is also grounded, through same'may engage the casing below the liquid the medium of the housing 20. level and is prevented from, any contact with A circuit controlling float 80 of novel conthe casing above the liquidlevel, said float struction is provided, which in connection being adapted When the liquid l'evel'has with the grounded gauge housing and'confallen substantially to said duct to engage tact 7O cooperates to provide a switch for said contact at a pointbelow'the'liquid level the circuit 65. This float 80 preferably comfor closing said" circuit and upon further prises a spherical shaped buoyant body, 82, falling of the liquid level'tos'aid duct adaptsuch as cork, electroplated, as at 88 to proed to be tipped incident to the weig'httherevide a conducting medium for the electric of laterally into engagement with said cascurrent, The weight of the float 80 is such l ing at a point below the liquid level for that it is always submerged at its maximum jclosing a circuit. 7

diameter, and for a short distance there-Se; 3. In an alarm gauge the combination of above, so that it can only contact the walls i ,a casing adapted 'to receive a volatile liquid of the casing 50 below the liquid level there-I having a compartment therein with a duct 1n Referring to the operation of the alarm through'which the liquidmay inlet and exit,

gauge, the circuit controlling float 80,, when a circuit controlling float of spherical 'forthere is plenty of fuel in the supply tank, mation operable in the compartment of the will float free of the contact '70, and'normalcasing, having a specificgra'vity so that" the ly free of engagement with thewalls of cassame at its maximum diameter is always ing '50, as is illustrated in Figure 1 of the submerged in the liquid below the level drawings. When the fuel level 1n chamber thereof, and contactmeans in the casing I 60 has dropped to the ducts 57, the floa 80 compartment entirely below the duct thereof will engage the contact 70 and incident to its spaced in a definite relation with the float weight, fall laterally into engagement with whereby when the liquid level has dropped the casing 50, thus closing the circuit, and to said duct the said float will then engage sounding or illuminating to indicate that said contact Ineansentirely below the level the fuel supply needs replenishing. It is to of the liquid for closing a circuit.

be noted particularly that the fuel level in 4. An. alarm gauge comprising a housing the casing chamber'60 cannot fall below the including a body portionhaving a lateral ducts. 57, and that the float 80 engages conport therein and avent opening, and "a detact- 70 and the casing 50 below the fuel tachable bottom cap; a casing for disposilevel, thus preventing arcingor a jumping tion upwardly in the body portion of said spark. As the ducts 57 are at an elevation housing having lateral ports therein and a above'the way 81, the'fuel may still feed vent opening, a spring between the casing through the feed line for consumption for and cap of the housing to normally retain a certain period of time after the alarm has thecasing in position, a circuit controlling been given. The construction of the housfloat operable in the casing, and a contact in mg and casing is of particular merit in the casing below the ports therein.

above the bottom of; said]; compartment 5. An alarm gauge comprising a housing having passageway means therein to permit entrance and exit of liquid directly thereinto and therefrom, a casing carried in fixed relation within the housing having port means therein located above the level of the passageway means of said housing and through which port means the liquid may pass from the housing to the inside of the casing and vice versa, said casing below said port means being closed so that the lowest liquid level in said casing occurs at said port means, contact means, and a circuit controlling float operable in the casing responsive to rise and fall of liquid level therein to engage the contact means and close'a circuit when the liquid levels in the housing and casing are both even with the port means,

whereby a quantity of liquid in the housing,

may feed through the passageway means thereof notwithstanding the liquid in the casing is already at lowest level.

BENJAMIN RICE FAUNCE. 

